Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, Idaho

“a big risk.”: Sears – Kmart death spiral, August 2018

Forbes: Inside Sears Hometown Stores’ War With Its Local Entrepreneurs

WRAL: Sears struggling with customer service complaints

Fox Business: Sears’ pension liabilities may be a thorn in Kenmore sale

CNNMoney: Eddie Lampert offers to buy Kenmore for $400-million

TCPAland: Sears Misses out on Millions in TCPA Settlement Funds

Wall Street Journal: Sears Franchise Owners Get Caught in Retailer’s Woes

24/7 Wall St: How Sears Is Branching Out in E-Commerce

New York Business Journal: In the ‘Blink’ of an eye, your local Sears is now a gym

ARIZONA:  Flagstaff Mall Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Thanksgiving.

CALIFORNIA: 64 employees of the Clovis Kmart arrived at work only to find out they’re being shutdown, the only thing local news media was told was that the Kmart would shutdown in time for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.  It’s been revealed that the still active Manchester Center Sears store, in Fresno, has leased out half its active space to an unnamed retailer, who will occupy the north half of the building by Summer 2019.  The real estate agency handling the deal also revealed that active Sears store downsizing efforts are taking place with the Sequoia Mall, in Visalia, and at the Merced Mall.  All stores are owned by Sears Holdings’ REIT spin-off (and Warren Buffett funded) Seritage Growth Properties.  Spring Valley Kmart, Antioch Kmart and Los Angeles Kmart (on West 3rd) all  shutting down by Thanksgiving, 152 jobs killed according to WARN (Worker Adjustment Retraining Notice)! Capitola Mall Sears store in Santa Cruz shutting down by Thanksgiving.

COLORADO: Grand Junction Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Thanksgiving.

CONNECTICUT: Milford Kmart shutting down by Thanksgiving.

DELAWARE: Newark Kmart shutting down by Thanksgiving.

FLORIDA: University Square Mall Sears, the Doral-Miami Sears store and Auto Center (86 jobs gone by Thanksgiving) and the Naples Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Thanksgiving.   Neptune Beach leaders shoot down controversial redevelopment plans for vacant Kmart

GEORGIA: Sears stores and Auto Centers in Savannah (Oglethorpe Mall), Atlanta (Cumberland Mall) and Brunswick shutting down by Thanksgiving.

IDAHO: The Sears Hometown Store in Moscow is for sale, a very incomplete local news report gave no details.

ILLINOIS: Steger Kmart and Bloomington Sears and Auto Center (East Empire Street) shutting down by Thanksgiving.  The 16 years vacant Lake Zurich Kmart is being torn down by the property owner, under threat of a taxpayer funded court order.  The Kmart property owner apparently promised to redevelop the property in 2017, claiming it would turn it into a massive apartment/retail shops complex. The city is demanding construction on the massive complex must start by March 2019.

Chicago Tribune: Stanley, Sears to have competing Craftsman tool brands

INDIANA: On Coldwater Road the Fort Wayne Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Thanksgiving.   After five years the Anderson Sears Hometown Store shutting down, the owner saying “I have just reached a point being here for five years and asking for another five years, that’s a big risk.” 

KENTUCKY: Florence Sears shutting down by Thanksgiving.

LOUISIANA: Hammond Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Thanksgiving.  The still active Clearview Shopping Center Sears store and Auto Center, in New Orleans, was just purchased by the family owners of the mall. The Sears store will supposedly continue operating, but will be reduced in size as most of the 14 acre Sears space will be carved up into smaller retail shops.

MARYLAND: The Westfield Montgomery Sears store, in Bethesda, shutting down in March 2019.  The store was bought by the mall owner last year, for $105-million USD, their plan is to tear it down and replace it with a multitude of smaller brick-n-mortar shops.

MASSACHUSETTS: Holyoke and Taunton Sears stores and Auto Centers shutting down by Thanksgiving.

MICHIGAN: Jackson Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Thanksgiving.

MISSISSIPPI: Columbus Kmart shutting down by Thanksgiving.

MISSOURI: Cape Girardeau Kmart shutting down by Thanksgiving.

NORTH CAROLINA: Raleigh-Crabtree Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Thanksgiving.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Salem and Manchester Sears stores and Auto Centers shutting down by Thanksgiving.

NEW JERSEY: Mays Landing Sears store and Auto Center shutting down, 63 jobs gone by Thanksgiving.

NEW YORK:  Riverhead Kmart, as well as Queensbury-Glens Falls, New Hyde Park and Victor Sears stores and Auto Centers shutting down by Thanksgiving.

OHIO: Dayton and Cincinnati-Northgate Sears stores and Auto Centers shutting down by Thanksgiving.  The 23 years old Chillicothe Kmart/Little Caesar’s Pizza shutting down by the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, local news media said they were alerted to the shutdown when customers were being told that layaways were halted.  It was also discovered that the Kmart property had been sold at the end of July to Rural King Realty for $4.7-million USD.

OREGON: Happy Valley-Portland Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Thanksgiving.

PENNSYLVANIA: Store closing signs confirmed that the McMurray Kmart is shutting down in October, employees were told last month, but also were told not to tell anybody.  After more than 20 years, the Pine Township Sears Hometown Store shutdown at the end of July, no reason was given.

TENNESSEE: The taxpayers of Clarksville being forced to give a property developer a tax abatement incentive (amount undisclosed at this time) to redevelop property that has a vacant Kmart on it.  The developer is promising that 427 new jobs will be created.

TEXAS: Houston-Memorial and College Station-Bryan Sears stores and Auto Centers shutting down by Thanksgiving.

UTAH: West Jordan Sears shutting down by Thanksgiving.

VIRGINIA: Fairfax Sears shutting down by Thanksgiving.

WASHINGTON: Vancouver Mall Sears store and Auto Center shutting down by Thanksgiving.  The Sears Hometown Store in Toppenish suddenly shutdown, the owners said they couldn’t renew the lease and will focus on their stores in Sunnyside, and in Hood River (Oregon).

WEST VIRGINIA: Scott Depot Kmart shutting down by Thanksgiving.  Kmart used flooding as excuse to layoff employees at Crossings Mall in Elkview, according to lawsuit.

WISCONSIN: Eau Claire and La Crosse (Valley View Mall) Sears stores and Auto Centers shutting down by Thanksgiving.  The five years old Appleton (Grand Chute) Sears Outlet store shutdown on the 19th, the owner didn’t say why, only that he was consolidating the remaining inventory to his new store in Germantown.

WYOMING: Gillette Kmart shutting down by Thanksgiving.

Sears-Kmart death spiral, July 2018: “THIS WAS THE SLOWEST ICEBERG HIT.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“we’re too busy, we can’t keep up”: U.S. retail/banking/service sector collapse, May 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss WARNings and store shutdowns made or announced in May 2018:

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

It’s been revealed that Deutschland (Germany) based Deutsche Bank killed 4-hundred U.S. jobs in April, and now wants to kill another 10-thousand jobs world wide!

ALABAMA: In Homewood after 32 years of selling clothing, White Flowers shutdown due to crashing sales over the past two years.

ARKANSAS: In Bella Vista the only movie theater, Sugar Creek 10 Cinema, suddenly shutdown.  Local news media say exalted city leaders were shocked because they truly believed their local economy was booming.

 CALIFORNIA: UnAmerican Bank of America eliminating 575 jobs in Pasadena in 2019, due to the Too Big to Jail bank not wanting to renew the lease on the property! Home Point Financial Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for its Forest Lake location, 83 jobs gone in July.  Bank of the West eliminating 35 jobs in San Ramon, by the end of June.  Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo issued a shutdown WARN for its Rancho Cucamonga car loan office, 58 jobs gone as part of plans to move vehicle loan operations out of The (not so) Golden State.  In Burbank, after 51 years Book Castle-Movie World shutdown so fast the owner was literally giving away his inventory.  The Toys R Us store in Los Angeles shutdown without warning, 72 jobs gone.  State unemployment administrators noted that the WARN sent by Toys R Us was written back in March, but state officials didn’t get it until a week after the shutdown took place!  British empire Canada based RA Centre issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in San Francisco, 140 jobs gone by the end of July!  Jasari Investments-Manteca Bowl issued a shutdown WARN, 69 jobs gone in July.   Irvine Property Management eliminating 55 jobs in Irvine, by July.   Spartan Shops eliminating 881 student jobs due to losing a contract with San Jose State University, university admin swore to students their jobs are not in jeopardy and even swore their hours and pay will remain the same, students called bull-shit on that promise!   California’s Saban Brands sold to Rhode Island based toy maker Hasbro and is now eliminating 70 jobs.  WWF Operating Company finally notified state unemployment admin that it killed 72 California jobs back in March.

COLORADO: In Pueblo, Rebound Sports shutdown after six years of selling second hand sports equipment, due to a sudden crash in sales.

CONNECTICUT: In New Milford, Kathy Henkel Fitness shutdown, the owner will continue teaching fitness classes at a competing fitness center.  “Supply Chain People Solutions” company Eclipse Advantage eliminating 51 Dayville jobs in July.

FLORIDA: In Orlando, Colonial Lanes shutdown after 59 years due to being sold to a property developer.  ‘Live game’ venue EXIT Tallahassee suddenly shutdown due to being kicked out by the landlord.  ABM/GCA Vehicle Services eliminating 86 Hollywood
International Airport jobs in July.   British empire United Kingdom based airport services contractor Menzies Aviation eliminating 123 Tampa International Airport jobs by the end of June!

IDAHO:  Non-profit Idaho Youth Ranch continues to kill jobs, this time five thrift stores in Blackfoot, Boise, Buhl, Emmett and Twin Falls suddenly shutdown because sales weren’t enough to pay the rent, utilities, transportation and labor!

ILLINOIS: Consulting company CVR issued a mass layoff WARN, 220 Chicago metro-sexual jobs gone by Xmas, due to loss of contract!  Too Big to Jail First Midwest Bank shutting down 19 offices, 150 jobs gone between now and Xmas!  The demise of Carson’s stores in the Chicago metro-sexual area will cost at least 8-hundred jobs! In Collinsville, after 83 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Home Furniture shutting down by Xmas, due to years of dealing with weather related property damage and declining sales: “We’ve been losing money for a number of years. The last 10 years have been tough.”-Ronnie Y. Fredman

INDIANA: In Seymore, after 124 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions, and even a building fire) Union Hardware shutdown because the owner took declining sales as a sign to retire.

IOWA: In Sioux City, after 11 years Salem Cycle Solutions shutting down when the inventory is gone, the owners say they’re tired of spending nights and weekends helping customers with bike problems, and they just lost their in-house mechanic: “We’re busier than we’ve every been, but we’re too busy, we can’t keep up, we want to but there’s a fine line there.”-Nick Salmen

KANSAS: Taxpayer subsidized passenger train Amtrak suddenly shutdown its ticket offices in Topeka and Garden City, outsourcing the sale of tickets to a contracted online company.

LOUISIANA: Fads and Frames shutting down its 25 years old Pineville store when the inventory is gone.

MASSACHUSETTS: Mitt Romney co-founded Framingham based, but now privately owned, Staples suddenly killed yet more corporate level jobs, 175 InfoTech employees now jobless, bringing this years corporate layoff tally to at least 2-hundred!  After 65 years Balich 5 & 10 shutting down, the second generation owner explaining “What hastened my decision was the fact that business has been slowing down to the point where it was hard to pay all my bills.”

MICHIGAN: What housing market recovery?  Illinois based MB Financial Bank eliminating 594 Michigan jobs due to the shutdown of mortgage operations in the state!  After more than 50 years House of Bedrooms shutting down two locations as soon as the inventory is gone.  In Battle Creek, after 29 years popular Images Formal Wear shutting down in July, so the tired owner can retire.  Also in Battle Creek, music/movie store FYE shutting down its Lakeview Square Mall location in July, saying “With the decline in sales, the store was no longer profitable.”  

MINNESOTA: Washington based Savers shutting down two for-profit thrift stores in the ‘Twin-Cities’ area, 146 jobs gone between July and October!   In Saint Cloud, Too Big to Jail Capital One announced plans to layoff Tech Engineering employees, local news media reported that since November 2017 Capital One has laid off more than 130 people in Saint Cloud! Also in Saint Cloud, California based clothier GAP shutting down its factory outlet store by the end of July, due to lack of sales.   In Detroit Lakes, after 112 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Norby’s Department Store shutting down when the massive inventory is gone, the family owners said that even though they have their own website (www.norbysonline.com) they still can’t compete with Amazon, another reason is that many product manufactures also sell directly to the public on the internet.   Best Buy shutdown its 10 years old Mall of America brick-n-mortar store.

MISSISSIPPI: Saks Fifth Avenue eliminating an undisclosed number of jobs at its Jackson service center, due to consolidation of work.

MISSOURI:  In Cape Girardeau, after 20 years Somewhere in Time Antiques shutdown.   In Dexter, the almost 90 years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Ben Franklin store shutting down when the inventory is gone.

MONTANA: In Missoula, after 23 years the last video store in the city, Crazy Mike’s,  shutdown not because of sales, but because the greedy landlord kicked them out.

NEW JERSEY: Apple shutdown one of its brick-n-mortar stores in Atlantic City, 52 jobs gone “Due to a sharp decline in tourism and visitors to the area…”   Online clothing seller Tahari ASL eliminating 101 jobs in Millburn, in July!  Online clothing seller Tory Burch eliminating 64 jobs in Jamesburg, in July.  The Hallmark gift store shutting down its Hampton Plaza location by the end of June, due to lack of sales.

NEW MEXICO: In Albuquerque, after 27 years Shoes on a Shoestring shutting down due to not being able to renew the lease.

NEW YORK: Fashion ‘start-up’ Le Tote eliminated 50 jobs between its NYC and California offices, because the online clothing ‘rental’ company became “too bloated”.  In Buffalo, after 17 years Spoiled Rotten Gift Boutique shutting down when the inventory is gone, because the owners realized they can make more money renting-out their property.  Premier Aviation Overhaul Center shutting down its ops in Rome, 127 jobs gone in August!  Triangle Aviation Services halting ops at Terminal 8 in John F. Kennedy Airport, 85 jobs gone due to loss of contract.  Also at JFK, Airline Service Professionals eliminating 236 jobs due to loss of contract with Jet Blue!   Sterling National Bank shutting down its Forest Hills Financial Center, and offices in Patchogue and Franklin Square, between August and Xmas, due to the take-over of competitor Astoria Bank.  Japan based Citizen Watch shutting down operations in NYC, 148 jobs affected by the end of June!

NORTH DAKOTA: In Grand Forks, Texas based Pier 1 Imports shutting down in July, apparently due to lack of sales.  In Bismarck, after eight years Branded Envy shutdown so the owner can spend more time with her family.

OHIO: Taxpayer subsidized passenger train Amtrak shutting down its Union Terminal (Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal) ticket office in June, outsourcing the sale of tickets to a contracted “caretaker”.  After 112 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Goldsteins Furniture shutting down three locations, the CEO blamed competition, the soon-to-be former Goldsteins locations will be taken over by a competitor.  What housing market recovery?  UnAmerican Too Big to Jail U.S. Bank shutting down mortgage ops in Bedford, 260 jobs gone in July!   Discovery Tours now bankrupt busted amid criminal investigation into the sudden cancellation of $100-thousand USD worth of taxpayer funded (paid in advance) school field trips.

PENNSYLVANIA: In Hellertown, after 54 years Hero Electric shutting down when the inventory is gone, so the owner can retire, because “Over the past few years, the business has mostly been repairs and service, and now the repairs are dying down, too.”  In Pittsburgh, after almost 70 years Murray Avenue News and Toys shutdown, the owner lamenting “The avenue isn’t the same. We don’t have the foot traffic we used to have. Mornings used to be so busy.” 

SOUTH DAKOTA: After 40 years Sioux Falls Music shutdown due to a crash in the number of people buying guitars, the ignorant owners blamed internet competition (ignorant because even Tennessee based guitar maker Gibson is bankrupt busted because of an across-the-board crash in global guitar sales). In Rapid City, after eight years Who’s Game House shutdown: “When you get too much competition, it puts a strain on all of those businesses they’re all fighting for the same dollars and so everybody kind of suffers but our biggest competitor honestly is mail order.”-Clancy Kingsbury, owner

TENNESSEE: First Tennessee Bank eliminating 58 jobs due to merging with competitor Capital Bank Financial.

TEXAS: “But wait, there’s more!” Cheap-ass As Seen on TV invention seller Ronco is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to a failed attempt to raise $30-million USD.

UTAH: Utah led the nation in housing growth, but would-be buyers are feeling the price pinch

In Providence, Edward’s Furniture shutting down because the building has been sold, the store owner said he might open a new store if the rent is cheap enough.

VERMONT:  What construction industry recovery?  After 1-hundred years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Parker & Stearns building supplier shutdown both its locations due to a failed attempt to sell the business.

VIRGINIA: What construction industry recovery? After 1-hundred years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Boston Lumber Company suddenly shutdown due to failed attempts to sell the building supply store.  In Lynchburg, after two years the Patriotic Peacock shutdown, but the owner claims they were making money, the shutdown is because her family is moving to Arizona. For the second time since last November a Victory Lady Fitness center shutting down, this time a 30 years old op in Richmond, the administrators blame the greedy landlord: “Victory Lady’s lease is due for renewal and the rent renewal has become very expensive. The growth on West Broad Street has made it difficult to find affordable rent…”– Wendy Campbell, President of Victory Lady

WASHINGTON: British empire United Kingdom based airport services contractor Menzies Aviation issued a layoff WARN, 63 SeaTac jobs gone by July.

WISCONSIN: In Pleasant Prairie, marketing company M.G. Design Associates shutdown, 46 jobs gone due to lack of money, however, local news media report that the shutdown has resulted in a federal lawsuit by former employees who say the company has also affected 150 other jobs in California, Florida (51 jobs suddenly gone) and Nevada, and violated federal WARN rules!

Your leaders are lying to you, don’t forget to check out the thousands of layoffs in all these other U.S. industries.

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, April 2018: “A RETAIL COLLAPSE LIKE…THE GREAT DEPRESSION.”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, May 2018:“ACCELERATED THE CLOSING OF UNPROFITABLE STORES”

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, May 2018:“PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO DECOMPRESS.”

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., May 2018:“MORALE HAS NEVER BEEN LOWER.”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, May 2018:“TO ACHIEVE PROFITABILITY.”

U.S. government shenanigans, May 2018:‘ZOMBIE ALERT’ IS FOR REAL

U.S. food crisis, May 2018: “THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, May 2018:“…WILL CREATE DEATHS. THIS WILL KILL PEOPLE. PEOPLE WILL DIE BECAUSE OF THIS.”

DRUGS, THE AMERICAN WAY, May 2018: “BAG IT, SHIP IT, FORGET IT!”

Business/Economics

“people are starting to decompress.”: U.S. industrial/mining/logistics layoffs, May 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. Mining/Industrial/Logistics job loss/shutdown announcements made in May 2018.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

 CALIFORNIA: Suppler of parts to aircraft manufacturers, Stratoflight Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for its Santa Ana ops, 57 jobs gone in July.  Georgia based mattress maker Simmons Bedding Company issued a shutdown WARN for its San Leandro factory, 153 jobs gone in July! Government contractor Bechtel issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in San Francisco, 126 jobs gone by the end of June! Taxpayer funded bus company First Transit issued a shutdown WARN due to losing its contract with Santa Maria, 69 jobs affected by the end of June. France based Zodiac Aerospace (C&D Zodiac) eliminating 13 jobs in Garden Grove, by July.  Petroleum management company Breitburn issued a shutdown WARN for its Los Angeles office, 51 jobs gone by July.

ILLINOIS: What automotive industry recovery? In Des Plaines, NTN Bearing issued a shutdown WARN, 36 jobs gone by August.  In Decatur, Jacobson Warehouse Company issued a shutdown WARN, 168 jobs gone in July due to “relocation”!

INDIANA: Duefol eliminating 150 jobs at its largest facility in North America, local news media reported the industrial packaging company also killed 250 jobs last year, due to contract losses!

IOWA: Bankrupt busted Zero Energy Systems suddenly laid off 40 people in Coralville.

MASSACHUSETTS: After 47 years Newport shoe maker Rockport (maker of Aravon, Dunham and Rockport brand shoes) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and selling its assets.  Coca Cola shutting down its Pittsfield warehouse, at least 12 jobs gone in July.

MINNESOTA: What housing industry recovery? Mid Continent Cabinetry eliminating 195 jobs at its Cottonwood location, in July!

MISSOURI: Wisconsin based ‘american’ motorcycle maker Harley Davidson shutting down its factory in Kansas City, about 4-hundred once U.S. jobs being sent to Thailand (according to union reps)!

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Stratham based outdoor apparel maker Timberland suddenly laid off about 45 people in an attempt to spur company growth.

NEW JERSEY: Exelon Generation Company eliminating 84 jobs in June, as part of the ongoing shutdown of the country’s oldest nuclear power generator, Oyster Creek.

NEW YORK:  Nypro-Jabil issued a shutdown WARN for its Rochester location, 53 jobs gone by November.  Shoe wholesaler/supplier Harbor Footwear issued a shutdown WARN for its Port Washington location, 53 jobs gone by the end of July.

NORTH CAROLINA: Mitt Romney co-founded wunderkind Staples shutting down its Henderson distribution center (fulfillment center), transferring 1-hundred jobs from Henderson to Charlotte as part of consolidation operations!

NORTH DAKOTA: What automotive industry recovery? The new owners of vehicle wiring harness maker Fargo Assembly shutting down three factories, supposedly due to lack of orders, about 125 jobs gone as soon as the last orders are filled!

OHIO: Essity Operations Wausau-Wausau Paper Mill eliminating 60 jobs in Middletown by the end of September. Olmsted Falls based kitchen appliance maker Vitamix suddenly eliminated an undisclosed number of corporate jobs in order to “address changing market conditions”.   Bellefontaine based gun distributor/wholesaler AcuSport now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and for sale.  High heat resistant industrial products maker HarbisonWalker International shutting down its factories in Oak Hill and Sproul, local news media reported that at one time both factories employed 714 people.  OPW Fueling Components eliminating 22 Hamilton jobs in July. 

OREGON: Boise Cascade Elgin Sawmill eliminating 90 jobs due to factory shutdown.

PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia Shipyards eliminating 275 jobs due to lack of container ship building contracts!  State College based petroleum driller Rex Energy now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and selling off its assets. In Nazareth, NFI Interactive Logistics eliminating 261 jobs in July!  Book printer (both traditional and digital) Edwards Brothers Malloy issued a shutdown WARN for its Blue Ridge Summit office, 18 jobs gone in June.  What housing market recovery? Custom glass maker Benson Industries issued a shutdown WARN for its Lebanon location, 112 jobs gone in July!  Pittsburgh Glass Works issued a shutdown WARN for its Creighton location, 148 jobs gone by the end of June!  ‘Whole home total energy providers’ Worley & Obetz issued a shutdown WARN for its Lancaster location, 64 jobs gone in June.

TENNESSEE: After 120 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) iconic guitar maker Gibson now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to $500-million USD of debts.  According to New York Post, guitar sales have crashed by a whopping 1.5-million units in the past ten years!  What construction industry recovery? After 28 years, and more than $150-million USD worth of projects, Strauss Construction shutting down.

WASHINGTON: Georgia Pacific-Camas Paper Mill laid off 225 people!  Despite warnings from the corporation last year, many employees were still shocked: “The last few weeks were very intense, you know, and it was very sad. You spent a career building it and now it’s going to be coming down, so I think people are starting to decompress.”-Ellisa Schiffman

WISCONSIN:  Appliance maker Western Industries issued a shutdown WARN for its Jefferson County location, 85 jobs gone mid-July.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, April 2018:“HISTORIC CHANGES”

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

Business/Economics

“This was the slowest iceberg hit.”: Sears Kmart death spiral, July 2018

New Sears-Kmart shutdowns revealed in the month of July, 2018.

Kmarts in Australia and New Zealand are not owned by Sears Holdings, and are not connected to Sears Holdings in anyway, but big news from Down Under as Australia’s first Kmart store is now for sale! 

More proof the U.S. shutdowns are about control of commercial property as Warren Buffet loans Sears Holdings’ REIT division, Seritage Growth Properties, $2-billion USD!

Alabama: The taxpayers of Albertville taking the bull by the horns with the redevelopment of the vacant Kmart.  City leaders approved a taxpayer $4.4-million USD debt-financing bond issue to partially pay for a $36-million plan to turn the Kmart into an amusement park (recreation center)! It should be noted that residents and tourists have been paying a special Kmart redevelopment sales tax ever since July 2017, and is reportedly bringing in more money than expected.  On top of all that city leaders are still pushing for a $5-million bond issue to buy the property outright, making the taxpaying residents the official owners.

California: It’s official, the highly profitable Goleta Kmart (“The Goleta Kmart store for long has been one of the most profitable for the chain…”) shutting down, 146 jobs gone in October (to be replaced by a Target)!  Local news media said the Kmart was a profitable store because of its location near University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), yet no reason was given for why the store was being replaced by Target, other than the Kmart lease was not renewed by Sears Holdings.  And for more proof the ‘big box’ shutdown epidemic due to online competition is bullshit, the OCRegister reported that Target opens in former Kmart in Anaheim.

Colorado: In Cañon City, the Sears Hometown Store was sold to local competitor Frank’s Appliance.  The Arvada Kmart shutting down in September, it’s the last Kmart in the Denver metro area. Local news revealed that taxpayers will be forced to help fund redevelopment of the soon to be vacant Kmart property because it sits within the Ralston Fields Urban Renewal Project Area.

Florida: New development plans for the vacant Neptune Beach Kmart still has taxpaying residents up-in-arms.  The plan still calls for apartments, hotel, parking garage, restaurants and brick-n-mortar shops (proving brick-n-mortar shut downs are not because of online shopping), it just reduces the number of apartment tenants compared to the previous plan.  Residents have launched a “If It is Too Dense, It Makes No Sense” anti-gentrification campaign. 

WJXT: Neptune Beach residents protest development at old Kmart

Illinois:  Sears Holdings suddenly laid off 2-hundred corporate level employees, no reason given (speculation is it’s because of crashing sales)! The now former employees are getting severance, which means they won’t be counted in the nation’s official unemployment roles.  In January, Sears Holdings laid off 220 people!  The city of Sterling considering burdening local taxpayers by creating a TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) district to redevelop vacant commercial property, including a vacant Kmart.

Chicago Business Journal: Illinois wrench-making company loses $6M patent fight with Sears

Chicago Tribune: Sears seeks millions from Caribbean cruise robocall settlement

Indiana: More proof Sears-Kmart shutdowns aren’t about the so-called demise of brick-n-mortar shopping as the recently vacated Bloomington Kmart is about to undergo an estimated $250-million USD make-over.  The developer says the vacated Kmart will be turned into a massive ‘pedestrian-friendly’ commercial center.  Don’t be surprised if the developer gets taxpayer funding.

Iowa: The 60 years old Des Moines Sears store and Auto Center at the Merle Hay Mall shutting down between August and October, leaving Iowa with only one Sears store, the mall’s owner told local news media it was expected saying “This was the slowest iceberg hit. We’ve been talking about it for a long time.”  The 40 years old Oelwein Kmart is shutting down, in October.

Kansas: Sears Holdings is now selling off its Overland Park service center, starting in September.

Minnesota: Twin Cities Business Magazine: The Kmart the City of Minneapolis Wishes Would Go Away

Nevada: Las Vegas Kmart on Washington Avenue shutting down by the end of September.  KLAS reported that the whole ‘big box’ shutdown epidemic due to online competition is bullshit after they interviewed local real estate agents, saying “Corporations will also pay to keep stores empty around them to cut down on the competition.”   After 27 years the Elko Kmart shutting down, local news media said the store manager confirmed it, but gave no more info.  It leaves Elko with only one ‘Big Box’ store.

New York:  The last Queens-NYC (Middle Village) Kmart shutting down, 126 jobs gone by the mid-October, the property owner told local news media the lease was still good until January 2019!

North Carolina: Sears Holdings just renewed the lease on a vacant Kmart store, in Wilmington, that was shutdown in 2017!  The sudden lease renewal put the kibosh on major redevelopment plans by GHK Cape Fear Development and Capstone Collegiate Communities.  Sears Holdings rep Howard Riefs finally admitted the ongoing shutdowns are really part of a plan to stop competition and control available commercial real estate: “Controlling good real estate, long term, at attractive market rents provides the company with many opportunities.”

Ohio:  The West Henderson Sears Hardware store shutting down by mid-August.

Oregon: Owners of the soon to be vacated Big Kmart property, in Portland’s Parkrose Heights, upset over the city’s sudden rezoning of the property (part of the city’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan) which now makes it impossible for the property owners to redevelop the land in connection with other commercial property they own nearby.   Last month a Sears Hometown owner claimed her stores were profitable even though Sears Holdings forced them to shutdown, now Sears Holdings is suing her, accusing her of processing false refunds, unauthorized bank withdrawals and stealing dozens of snowblowers.

Pennsylvania:  Century III Mall sheriff’s sale postponed for a second time

Casino eyed for Sears at York Galleria, as residents speak out against it

Texas: After only five months the Wichita Falls Sears Hometown suddenly shutdown, signage and merchandise seemingly removed in the dead of night, the landlord said the store owner still owes $11-thousand USD in rent! The city leaders of Abilene figuring out how to get local taxpayers to fork out more bucks (or cut construction costs) as the winning low bid on turning the vacant Kmart into a new police-state-ops-center (Municipal Services, Police Department, 9-1-1 Dispatch, Child Advocacy Center, Municipal Court) came in at just under $19-million USD, almost $1-million over the original taxpayer funded budget for the project.  Local news media revealed that enforcing the law in Abilene has become so problematic that police/courts need a larger building to operate out of.

Utah: Is the City of Provo forcing taxpayers to turn the vacant Sears into a new city hall?

Virginia: The still open Alexandria Sears (at the dying Landmark Mall) is about to be sold to property developer Howard Hughes.

Washington: The Kent Big-Kmart shutting down in October, so that Sears Holdings can “focus on our best stores”.

Wisconsin:    Taxpayers of Stevens Point getting royally raped of more than $3-million USD to buy several commercial properties, including a vacant Kmart! According to multiple local news reports, Stevens Point exalted leaders are also going to force taxpayers to pay an incentive of up to $2.1-million to any property developer who wants to take-on the Kmart location.  Taxpayers of Portage being forced to pay for redevelopment of the long vacant Kmart.  Exalted city leaders are creating a TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) district, and to add insult to injury they claim they have to use $20-thousand USD of existing ‘contingency’ tax funding to create the TIF!  A property developer now claims the vacant Portage Kmart could see a six-fold increase in property value!

Motley Fool: Sears Holdings Has an Expiration Date

Hartford Courant:Why Won’t Sears Help Repair Refrigerator’s Water Dispenser?

Calgary Herald: Sears Canada retirees ask court for retailer’s remaining cash

Law360: Wrench Maker Can’t Save $6M IP Verdict Against Sears

Seeking Alpha: Sears amends credit agreement, takes new loans

TCPalm: Is Sears’ cashback promotion a good deal or big risk?

Reader’s Digest: The most hated store in America, and its not Walmart

The Casual Smart: Big Money Are Not Betting On Sears Hometown

Sears Kmart death spiral, June 2018: “THEIR YEAR OF DEMISE.”

Business/Economics, U.S.

To save the animals, U.S. military deployed to Georgia!

Video

19JUN2018 (15:00 UTC-07 Tango 06)  29 Khordad 1397/05 Shawwal 1439/06 Wu-Wu 4716

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Jamila A. Haven, 10MAY2018.

In May, the Department of Defense deployed hundreds of personnel to the U.S. state of Georgia. It was part of Operation Empower Health Greater Savannah, in response to the fact the economy has not recovered (and ObamaCare isn’t working).  Not only can’t people pay for their own healthcare, but they can’t pay for the care of their pets!

Wyoming Air National Guard Photo by Technical Sergeant John Galvin, 13MAY2018.

The military operation was conducted in conjunction with Humane Society for Greater Savannah, Georgia Southern University and the christian owned Saint Joseph/Chandler hospital system (“No proof of income, residency or picture ID is required for services”).

Official video explainer:

MARIA: FREE SHOTS FOR PUERTO RICO PETS!

HARVEY: WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR PETS?

LOUISIANA MILITIA RESCUES FLOOD VICTIMS & THEIR PETS!

WORLD ANIMAL DAY: EVER WONDER WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR PETS DURING WAR? IT AIN’T PRETTY!

MEDICAL MARTIAL LAW AS SPANISH COPS START KILLING EBOLA VICTIM’S PETS!

PETS ABANDONED TO DIE ALONE IN ALABAMA!

PETS BEING THROWN OUT?

FLUORIDE WARS: STUDIES SHOW YOUR PETS ARE BEING POISONED BY FLUORIDATED WATER & GRAPES!

Fukushima: DOGS & CATS STILL ABANDONED IN RADIATION ZONES

Business/Economics

“their year of demise.”: Sears Kmart death spiral, June 2018

Sears Holdings has already announced new store shutdowns that weren’t on the shutdown list issued at the end of May.  However, Sears Holdings representatives claim some of the store shutdowns announced in May are now on hold pending further review.

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores reported a $9.4-million USD loss for its first quarter of 2018 and as a result will shutdown 1-hundred stores (the majority will be shutdown during the second quarter).  It was also revealed that 20 Hometown & Outlet stores were shutdown during the first quarter of 2018.

Alabama: The Sears Hometown Stores in Enterprise, Jasper and Moulton just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Arizona: The Nogales Sears Hometown Store just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

California: A Sears store and Auto Center in Newark (54 jobs gone by the end of September), and the almost 50 years old Thousand Oaks Sears store to shutdown in September.  Local news media reported that in 2014 officials in Thousand Oaks approved a plan to chop up the Sears store.  In Modesto, the Vintage Faire Mall Sears shutdown by an escalator fire, even though the fire was contained to the escalator for some reason the Auto Center and Avis/Budget car rental operations have also been shutdown.  In Sacramento, the owners of Arden Fair Mall filed a lawsuit to stop the sale of the still active Sears store to a ‘retail redevelopment’ company.  Local news media reporting that the still active Goleta Kmart is being taken over by Target, due to the Kmart lease being past due expired (the Kmart is not on the current official shutdown list).  The Lompoc Sears Hometown Store shutting down by the end of July, local news media say employees claim its because the landlord is demanding a huge increase in rent and is not linked to the official Sears shutdown list (even though it is on the official Hometown shutdown list).  The Sears Hometown Stores in Banning, Gilroy and Red Bluff just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Colorado: The Rifle Sears Hometown Store just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Connecticut: The only two Sears Hometown Stores in the state, Barkhamsted and Colchester,  just made the new and evolving shutdown list.    The Waterbury Sears shutting down by September.

Florida: The Altamonte Mall Sears store and Auto Center, in Altamonte Springs, being shutdown by the end of August, possibly due to mall owner (and Sears Holdings spin-off) Seritage Growth Properties’ plan to turn the mall into a massive real estate trade show convention center.  The Labelle Sears Hometown Store just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.   In Pensacola, the 44 years old University Town Plaza Sears shutting down by the end of July.

Georgia: The Sears Hometown Stores in Commerce and Wrens just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.   The shuttering Duluth Gwinnett Place Mall Sears suddenly sold to an apartment developer. 

Illinois: More proof Sears Holdings isn’t serious about saving its ass as the Litchfield owner of a Sears Hometown Store has been told by Sears Holdings that he can’t move into a soon-to-be-vacated  ‘full line’ Qunicy Sears store for another 18 months: “Unfortunately, when a full-line Sears store leaves a city per the contract with Sears Hometown, no one can put a store in the city again for 18 months.”-facebook post

The Sears Hometown Stores in Moline, Plano and Sterling just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Indiana: The Sears Hometown Stores in Auburn, Greensburg, North Vernon and Washington just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Kansas: The Lawrence Sears Hometown Store  just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Kentucky: The Sears Hometown Stores in Glasgow, London, Morehead and Paintsville just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Louisiana: Pecanland Mall Sears in Monroe, as well as the Shreveport Sears (local news media says Sears repeatedly denied it was shutting the Shreveport location down, until now) and Bossier City Sears, all shutting down by September.  The Sears Hometown Stores in Cut Off, Jennings and Leesville just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Maine: The Sears Hometown Stores in Beddeford and Ellsworth just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Maryland: Local news media reporting the Westfield Montgomery Sears, in Bethesda, will shutdown by March 2019, for massive property redevelopment. 

Michigan: The Oakland Mall Sears in Troy to shutdown in September.  In Marquette, a facebook post announced the July shutdown of the Sears Hometown Store.  The Sears Hometown Stores in Fort Gratiot and Waterford shutting down in July.   For more proof that the claim that brick-n-mortar retail shopping is dead, is bull-shit, local news media revealed that the now vacant Fenton Kmart is being replaced with four brick-n-mortar stores; TJ Maxx, Petco, Five Below and Michaels.  As I’ve been warning since 2012, it’s ALL PART OF Real Estate Investment Trust PLAN TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU SHOP, AND THEY BLAME YOU THE SHOPPER!

Montana: The Havre Kmart shutting down in September. The Great Falls Sears Hometown Store just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Mississippi: Sears Hometown Stores in Columbus, Corinth and Ripley just made the new shutdown list, for July.

Nebraska: In Omaha, the Oak View Mall Sears shutting down between July and September.  GGP, owner of Oak View Mall said “For retailers who had been in a decline for more than a decade, 2017 was their year of demise. These retailers lost their emotional connection to the consumer, lacked investment in their physical platforms, and had not made appropriate investments in an omni-channel environment”

New Hampshire: The Sears Hometown Stores in Gorham, Rochester, Seabrook and Walpole just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

New Mexico: In anticipation of the shutdown of a Albuquerque Kmart, the city has already re-zoned the property for a massive brick-n-mortar development.

New York: The Great Northern Mall Sears store and Auto Center, in Clay, 57 jobs gone by September.  The Sears Hometown Stores in Batavia, Ithaca and Malone just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

North Carolina: Without warning the Raleigh Sears Home Services, on Six Forks Road, was sold for $5-million USD to a developer based in Virginia.  Without warning the active Northgate Mall Sears store property was sold for $6.5-million to a property developer in Colorado. The Sears Hometown Stores in Boone, Rocky Mount and Waynesville just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Ohio:   The Sears Hometown Stores in Jackson and Washington Court House just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July. The Tri-County Mall Sears, in Cincinnati, shutting down by September.  Local news media says the shutdown was revealed when Store Closing signs were posted outside the building.

Oklahoma:  The last Sears store in Oklahoma City to shutdown in September.   The Grove Sears Hometown Store just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Oregon: For more proof the store shutdowns are a False Flag, the franchise owner of the Sears Hometown Stores in Corvallis, Madras and Prineville (shutting down by the end of July) Heidi Wood publicly stated her stores were profitable, stressing “I just want people to know, we didn’t leave by choice. This was a corporate decision.”  Local news media also discovered that Sears Holdings-Hometown & Outlet Store forced Wood to move one of her stores, and also forced a landlord to invest $100-thousand USD into the property to bring it up to ‘Sears standards’ months before the shutdown order came, the landlord is now suing Sears: “We’ve locked the tenant out of the building, and Sears doesn’t have any rights to get into it.”-John Goodman, attorney for landlord

Pennsylvania: It’s been revealed that the 2014 shutdown of the Sears store in Century III Mall is killing the mall.  Sears violated its lease contract when it shutdown the store, meaning they owe the mall owner $4.2-million USD, which Sears Holdings has refused to pay.  The ongoing lawsuit is now resulting in a ‘sheriff’s sale’ of the Century III Mall.  The Ebensburg Sears Hometown Store just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Rhode Island: The Wakefield Sears Hometown Store just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

South Carolina:  The happy taxpayers of Camden are about to become the proud owners of the vacant Kmart, as city leaders consider an annexation ordinance.   The Aiken Sears Hometown Store shutting down by July, an employee told local news media “It was a corporate decision, and we’re not supposed to talk to the media….”   Sears Hometown Stores in Lancaster, Loris, Port Royal and Seneca all shutting down by the end of July.

South Dakota: The Mitchell and Aberdeen Sears Hometown Stores shutting down by the end of July.

Tennessee: The Franklin, Milan and Oak Ridge Sears Hometown Stores shutting down by the end of July. In Oak Ridge, the Sears Hometown Store suddenly shutdown, a sign reads Closed Until Further Notice, customers are being directed to call a competing Sears Hometown Store in Harriman.  The year-and-a-half old Franklin-Mckay’s Mill Sears Hometown Store shutting down by the end of June, the store operator said “There are many reasons for the store closing. Sears Hometown Stores and I have mutually agreed to close the store.”

Texas: The Athens, Azle, Kingsville, Mineral Wells and Palestine Sears Hometown Stores all shutting down by the end of July.  In San Antonio, the Park North Shopping Center Sears shutting down by the end of July, Sears Holdings is blaming the landlord of Park North Shopping Center for the shutdown.  The shutdown of the Rolling Oaks Mall Sears store on hold pending the outcome of lease-back negotiations.  It was revealed that the Wichita Falls Sears Hometown Store was suddenly shutdown at the end of May, and now Sears Hometown & Outlet is suing the property owner.  The surprise shutdown came just 54 days after the store had its grand ‘soft’ opening, the landlord said the store owner failed to pay rent and other fees! (twisted update on Wichita Falls shutdown)

Utah: The Tooele Sears Hometown Store just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Vermont: The Middlebury, Saint Johnsbury and Saint Albans Sears Hometown Store just made the new and evolving shutdown list,  shutting down by the end of July.

Virginia: Sears/Kmart operations in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach to shutdown in September.  The Covington, Lynchburg and Williamsburg  Sears Hometown Stores all shutting down by the end of July.  A facebook post revealed that Sears Hometown Stores in Staunton (the oldest Sears Hometown franchise in the U.S.) and Harrisonburg are shutting down by July, the independent owner blames increased competition and the shopping habits of young adults.  The Lightfoot Sears Hometown Store shutting down in July.  The manager of the independently owned Sears store said “We weren’t selling enough. Our sales have dropped over the years…”, and added that “The owner of the property doesn’t maintain it.”

Washington: The Deer Park Sears Hometown Store shutting down by the end of July.

West Virginia: The Harpers Ferry and Summersville Sears Hometown Stores shutting down by July.

Wisconsin: The West Towne Mall Sears, in Madison, shutting down in September, local news media reported that Sears Holdings recently spent a lot of money remodeling the store.   The city of Portage about to burden local taxpayers in an effort to redevelop the long vacant Kmart site, by imposing a new tax increment financing (TIF) district, however city leaders claim the TIF will not become a blank check for the property owner.  Brookfield taxpayers forking over millions of dollars as the demolition of the abandoned Sears store gets underway, to make room for a partially taxpayer funded move theater and bumper cars.  Local news media also revealed the city is creating a special tax district (known as  tax-incremental-financing, TIF) to provide $4.8-million USD towards the purchase of land for a new hotel, which includes the land the now vacant Sears Auto Center is on.

Wyoming: The Laramie Sears Hometown Store shutting down in July, officially due to the new owners ‘forfeiting’ their contract with Sears.  It might have something to due with the property being suddenly sold-off.

Business Insider: Sears’ prices are going up during a liquidation sale

GlobeNewswire:  Sears Hometown and Outlet Recognized as One of Chicago’s Best

Elliott: Be careful, that Sears.com order you made might really be from SearsHomeTown, which could affect any refunds/warranties

Motley Fool: Sears and Kmart Deepen Their Marriage 

CNBC: Sears expands Auto Center partnership with Amazon

Bloomberg: Lands’ End Exits More Sears Stores

The Mercury News: Sears took my money and kept the dishwasher, too

Tribune-Review: Bill Gates to pay-off Sears Holdings’ debt!

Forbes: Shopping At Sears Drops 50% 

Chicago Tribune: Sears gets more time to repay lenders

Picture People photo studio chain shutters in Sears stores

Sears Kmart death spiral, May 2018: “ACCELERATED THE CLOSING OF UNPROFITABLE STORES”

Business/Economics

“a retail collapse like…The Great Depression.” One retailer kills 23,000 jobs!: U.S. retail/banking/service sector collapse, April 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss WARNings and store shutdowns made or announced in April 2018:

“….they`ll be economic consequences of epic proportions….not this year, but in 2019, 2020, you`ll see a retail collapse like the 1930s and The Great Depression…..We`re already going to have 12,000 stores closed this year. So, it`ll hollow out retail and hurt jobs and actually the shoppers and taxpayers will pay more because you`ll lose the commercial property taxes and you`ll lose the sales tax which is a third of all local and state revenue.”-Burth Flickinger, Strategic Resource Manager interviewed on NBR, 17APR2018

NightlyBusinessReport (NBR): The amount of retail space closing in 2018 is on pace to break a record

FierceCEO: Announced job cuts surged in March, a 71% increase from February

Germany (Deutschland) based Deutsche Bank eliminating 4-hundred U.S. jobs!  

 California: Westlake Village based Guitar Center suddenly laid off 1-hundred people after losing $11-million USD (despite selling online)!  In Ocean Beach, Newport Avenue Antique Center suddenly shutdown, being replaced by a Target Express, which local shoppers say they will boycott.  In Long Beach, after more than 1-hundred years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Jones Bicycles shutdown so the owner can retire.  Local news reports say at one time there were three Jones Bicycles stores.  In Burbank, Warner Music issued a layoff WARN, 55 jobs gone by the end of July. In Fontana, clothier LuLaRoe issued a layoff WARN, 127 jobs gone by mid-June! In Irvine, Roth Staffing-Ultimate Staffing issued a layoff WARN, 128 jobs gone by mid-June! Arkansas based Walmart issued a shutdown WARN for its store in Simi Valley, 130 jobs gone by June! San Diego Gaming Ventures issued a mass layoff WARN, 650 jobs gone by the end of May!

Connecticut: In Ridgefield, after 44 years All the King’s Horses tack-shop shutting down when the inventory is gone.  In Westport, after almost 70 years Liberty Army & Navy shutting down in May, so the owner can retire.  Public transportation contractor DATTCO issued a shutdown WARN for its Trumbull ops, 160 jobs gone by the end of June!

Illinois: The North Face suddenly shutdown its store in Evanston due to high rent and low sales.  Shutdown WARNs were issued for ten Carson’s, one Bergner’s and one The Bon Ton stores (see Pennsylvania below).   Acceptance Auto Insurance shutting down its office in Lombard, 52 jobs gone by the end of July.

Iowa: In Iowa City, after 36 years of “If you can’t find it at Paul’s, then you don’t need it” Paul’s Discount shutting down by the end of July, after two years of trying to sell it.  The owners say prospective buyers shied away saying there was too much retail competition in the area.  The Bon Ton issued shutdown WARNs for eight Younkers stores (see Pennsylvania below).

Maryland:  Towson University Marriott Conference Hotel eliminating 60 jobs by the end of June.

Michigan:   Three Detroit area Carson’s stores shutting down (see Pennsylvania below), more than 5-hundred jobs gone by June!  Music venue Live Nation Worldwide temporarily shutting down The Fillmore Detroit, 180 jobs lost to four months of renovations!  After more than 60 years the owners of Hazel Park Raceway suddenly announced they sold-out to a property developer, 90 jobs suddenly gone.  Local news media reported that riders and horse racers had driven miles for the opening day, only to have to turn around and go home.  California based clothier PacSun shutting down its store in The Lakes Mall.  What real estate market recovery? Too Big to Jail MB Financial eliminating 495 mortgage jobs as it exits mortgage industry!  Online furniture seller izzyplus (izzy+) issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Spring Lake, 72 jobs gone by July.  Apparently izzyplus is dead, so much for online sales.

Minnesota: In Bloomington, after almost 90 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Johnson Hardware shutdown, the retiring second owner described his job as “Six days a week, all my life.”  The Bon Ton issued mass shutdown WARNs for 18 Herberger’s and two Younkers stores (see Pennsylvania below).  In Mankato, after ten years Arrow Ace Hardware shutting down.

Missouri: What automotive industry recovery? In Hazelwood, car seller Gateway Buick GMC now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to several years in a row of crashing sales.

Montana: In Great Falls, after 20 years Party America shutting down by the end of May, because the owners want to retire.

New Jersey: In Union, after a year-and-a-half home decor store Wrapped Moments shutdown its brick-n-mortar store to focus on internet sales only.  Clothier Nine West Holdings eliminating 102 jobs in West Deptford, by June!  Clothier Maggy London International issued a WARN for its East Rutherford ops, 80 jobs gone by the end of June.

New York: Matty’s Toy Shop shutting down its 14 years old Manhasset location due to not being able to renew the lease.   In Olean, after 15 years Willoughby’s Furniture & Gifts shutdown due to the health problems of one of the owners.  After 18 years B.B. King Blues Club suddenly shutdown, blaming skyrocketing rents.  In Caledonia, after almost 160 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Hamilton & Son Hardware shutting down by June.  Toy maker Mattel issued a shutdown WARN for its NYC ‘office’, 143 jobs gone by August!  It’s part of a plan by Mattel to cut costs by $650-million USD.  British empire United Kingdom based Too Big to Jail Barclays transferring more than 430 NYC jobs to New Jersey! Too Big to Jail Sterling National Bank shutting down its Penn Plaza Financial Center location and eliminating jobs at its Lefrak City Financial Center, due to being taken over by Astoria Bank. Convenience store operator Express Mart Franchising Corporation shutting down its Syracuse location, 53 jobs lost due to the company selling out to competitor Speedway.  The Neiman Marcus Group shutting down its Last Call clothing store in Central Valley, 40 jobs gone by the end of July.  Golden Touch Transportation halting its NYC Airporter Express Bus Services, 176 jobs gone due to loss of contract!

North Carolina: Brooks Brothers Factory Outlet suddenly shutdown its store in Garland, no explanation was given.  California based Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo eliminating 593 jobs in Winterville, between June and October!  In Greensboro, after 66 years Scruggs Florist shutdown because the owners (one in her 80s, the other in his 90s) are tired of working holidays: “Every holiday you work and the only one you get is July the Fourth or something like that.”-Rigdon Scruggs, 90 years old

What real estate industry recovery?  Online mortgage company Ditech shutting down its Charlotte Reverse Mortgage Solutions ops, 79 jobs gone by the end of June.

North Dakota: In Fargo, the West Acres Mall Herberger’s shutting down (see Pennsylvania below).

Ohio: Shopping center owner DDR suddenly laid off 50 people and refused to give details.

Oklahoma:  In Lawton, after 44 years Nick’s Pawn and Jewelry shutdown.

Pennsylvania:  Too Big to Jail BB&T issued a shutdown WARN for its Allentown bank, 50 jobs gone by mid-June.  Pittsburgh based supplements pusher GNC shutting down 2-hundred stores, due to $1-billion USD of debts.  Administrators warned that the number of store shutdowns could increase depending on attempts to renegotiate leases.  Clothier Nine West Holdings issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Bristol, 98 jobs gone by June!Bankrupt York based The Bon Ton shutting down all remaining 256 stores, 23-thousand jobs gone due to failed efforts to sell the retailer! Don’t forget, The Bon Ton is also the parent company for retailers Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s, and Younkers.

Rhode Island: In Providence, after 42 years Cable Car Cinema shutdown due to change, fear, excitement, and dread at what’s happening with new entertainment technologies, plus the landlord said the old “historic” building was getting rickety.

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, after 14 years Family Orthopedic & Shoe Repair shutdown.

Washington: In Seattle, after 37 years Leroy Menswear shutdown, due to the owner losing his fight with cancer.

Wisconsin: In Madison, music venue Frequency shutting down by the end of June due to increased costs and crashing sales.  Too Big to Jail First Citizens Bank shutting down offices in Glendale and Brown Deer, and eliminating 1-hundred corporate jobs by September!  The Bon Ton issued a mass shutdown WARN for all its stores in the state, 2-thousand-255 jobs gone by June (see Pennsylvania above)!

Wyoming: Cheyenne based Great Lakes Airlines suddenly halted operations after 40 years, blaming lack of qualified pilots caused by the Obama era revision of Flight Officer Qualifications.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Your leaders are lying to you, don’t forget to check out the thousands of layoffs in all these other U.S. industries.

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, March 2018: “THE THIEVES ARE….MORE BOLD.”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, April 2018: “TOO BIG FOR OUR NEEDS.”

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, April 2018:“HISTORIC CHANGES”

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., April 2018: “THIS IS SOMETHING UNEXPECTED”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, April 2018:“…TO THRIVE IN THE FUTURE.”

U.S. government shenanigans, April 2018:“BULLSHIT!”

U.S. food crisis, April 2018:“WE’RE TIRED AFTER SEVENTY YEARS OF SEVEN DAYS A WEEK!”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, April 2018:“NEW NORMAL”

DRUGS, THE AMERICAN WAY, April 2018: TAKE BACK DAY

Business/Economics

“historic changes”: U.S. industrial/mining/logistics layoffs, April 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. Mining/Industrial/Logistics job loss/shutdown announcements made in April 2018.

More U.S. jobs being killed by European Union and China.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

 California: Diversified Silicone Products issued a shutdown WARN for its operations in Santa Fe, 68 jobs gone by July.  Germany based shipping company DHL issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Moreno Valley, 136 jobs gone by June!  France based aerospace company C and D Zodiac issued a multiple shutdown WARNs for its Garden Grove ops, at least 79 jobs gone by mid-July.  Washington based aerospace company Leach International suddenly eliminated 46 jobs at its Esterline Power Systems ops in Buena Park. Hecny Transportation shutting down its Brisbane location mid-June.   Workrite Uniform Company issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Oxnard, 101 jobs gone by June!  What automotive industry recovery?  Floor mat maker Kraco Enterprises issued a layoff WARN for its factory in Compton, 83 jobs gone by June.

Illinois: Washington based industrial valve maker DeZURIK eliminating 61 jobs in Schaumburg due to “relocation”, taking place in 1st quarter 2019.   In Collinsville, energy company Dynergy eliminating 53 jobs by June.

Iowa: Germany based Siemens shutting down its recently acquired steam turbine factory in Burlington, 125 jobs gone, however a federal mandated WARN has yet to be issued! What automotive industry recovery? Germany based engine parts maker MAHLE shutting down its ops in Winterset, 33 jobs gone by mid-July.

Louisiana: What automotive industry recovery? Monster Moto laying off 30 assembly line workers, in May, and transferring those jobs to China despite the company’s motto being Made in America!  Local news reports say just a year ago Monster Moto promised to hire 3-hundred people (even the state gov’na attended the announcement) but actually hired only 1-hundred!

Michigan: What automotive industry recovery?  Belgium based exhaust system maker Bosal eliminating 40 jobs at its factory in Ypsilati, in June, apparently on-top of the 77 jobs eliminated in April.

Mississippi: What automotive industry recovery?  Advance Auto Parts shutting down and selling off its distribution center in Gallman, 284 jobs gone by Xmas as part of a plan to consolidate 54 distribution centers!

New Jersey: What automotive industry recovery?  Germany based Mercedes-Benz shutting down its U.S. HQ in Montvale, 115 jobs lost due to relocation to Atlanta, Georgia! About 1-thousand jobs transferring to Georgia, so the net loss to New Jersey is about 1-thousand-115 jobs! 

New York: Ireland based electrical parts maker Eaton Corporation eliminating 29 jobs at its Horseheads ops.  It should be noted that Eaton got U.S. taxpayer funded incentives for its operations in Horseheads. Bankrupt (due to $1.5-billion in debts) clothier Nine West Holdings (Nine West, Anne Klein, Bandolino, etc) shutting down its wholesale shoe and handbag distribution ops in NYC, 203 jobs gone by July!

North Carolina: Saudi Arabia based SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation) issued a shutdown WARN for its Huntersville Innovative Plastics operations, 83 jobs gone by the end of July.

Oklahoma: Petroleum company Devon Energy eliminating 3-hundred additional jobs due to never ending debt!   Between 2016 and January 2018 the natural gas company killed 1-thousand-4-hundred jobs!

Ohio: What automotive industry recovery? Comprehensive Logistics-Source Providers eliminating 150 Austintown jobs due to production cutbacks at the GM-Chevy Cruze factory in Lordstown!  Lordstown Seating killing 83 jobs by mid-June.  And of course the GM-Chevy Cruze production cutbacks will result in 1-thousand-5-hundred GM-Chevy employees becoming unemployed!  GM administrators blame low sales in the U.S.: “…the market continued to undergo historic changes, it required us to reduce production rates and take numerous down weeks to match production with lower customer demand…”

Pennsylvania: In New Kensington, years of down prices for metals and then a $209-thousand USD theft forced Quality Machined Products to layoff employees for the first time in its history.  British empire United Kingdom based chemical company Johnson Matthey issued a shutdown WARN for its Conshohocken location, 119 jobs gone by August!  Dicom Transportation Group issued a shutdown WARN for its Philadelphia location, 51 jobs gone by June.   Pittsburgh Glass Works shutting down its factory in East Deer, at least 160 jobs affected by June, layoffs starting in May!  Worldwide Flight Services eliminating 161 air-freight jobs at Philadelphia International Airport, due to losing a contract!

South Carolina:  Textile maker Alice Manufacturing shutting down its 50 years old factory in Ellison, 175 jobs gone in June due to competition from overseas!

Texas: Salon products maker/supplier Sally Beauty warned of an undisclosed number of layoffs at its Denton HQ, in an effort to save $15-million USD!  Fort Worth based Bell Helicopter suddenly eliminated 120 jobs across the United States!  Houston based Erin Energy (Camac Energy) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to the collapse of the African oil industry.  Petroleum company EV Energy Partners now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to as much as $1-billion USD of debt.

Washington: Jorgensen Forge issued a shutdown WARN for its Tukwila ops, 101 jobs gone by mid-June!  Hot water heater maker A.O. Smith issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Renton, 57 jobs gone by mid-June.

Wisconsin: Mattel-American Girl shutting down its call center/distribution center in Wilmot, 185 jobs gone by the end of June!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, March 2018: “THIS IS A SAD DAY…”

Business/Economics, Kit Bashing

Deutschland Über Alles!: Revell USA is dead, long live Revell Germany!

12MAY2018 /21:37 UTC-07 Tango 06  (23 Ordibehesht 1397/27 Sha’ban 1439/28 Ding-Si 4716)

“It is a sad time for the model building community… I have not seen anything ‘official’ from Revell, but It has been confirmed to me by a reliable source that Revell USA has in fact closed their doors.”-UP Scale Hobbies facebook post

Another victim of the so called recovered economy, the end of a long model building era in the United States, Revell USA (Revell-Monogram) is dead!

Starting out in California in 1943, as a subcontractor for plastics manufacturers, its first job reportedly being parts for washing machines, followed by anything relating to HO (1:87) scale train sets.   It was known as Precision Specialties.

When the company decided to focus on toys the name was changed to Revell (Wikipedia says it’s from the French word reveille, however Revell is a English/French family name that goes back to medieval times).  In the 1950s the focus was originally on model cars, but shifted to U.S. Navy ships, the most infamous being the constantly re-issued and horribly inaccurate USS Missouri.  This is humorous because supposedly the USN kits were considered so accurate that the Soviet Union bought Revell kits to learn about U.S. warship development (maybe that’s why the U.S.S.R. was constantly behind in the naval arms race).

Purportedly this crappy kit is what got the ball rollin' for Revell

Purportedly this crappy kit is what got the ball rollin’ for Revell

The success of Revell’s ship kits led to the company producing kits of almost anything you can think of.  However, this didn’t stop Revell from succumbing to the same economic forces as other industries, as I’ve previously explained in 1:72 SHOCK & AWE LOCKHEED F-104 STARFIGHTER, OR, WHY YOU CAN’T TRUST SCALE DRAWINGS! PLUS MASSIVE HISTORICAL CONFUSION ABOUT REVELL-MONOGRAM!

Monogram's classic 1974 issue Do 335, Monogram was Revell's biggest competitor at that time

Monogram’s classic 1974 issue Do 335, Monogram was Revell’s biggest U.S. competitor at that time

By 2012, longtime model kit builders thought economic bad times were over for Revell when an employee owned, Illinois based company, called Hobbico bought and merged Revell USA and Revell Germany (GmbH).  Wrong again!  In January 2018, Hobbico went bankrupt busted and began liquidating its divisions.  Immediately, Revell Germany issued a statement saying they were not impacted (“Hobbico’s bankruptcy filing was made in the United States and is strictly limited to the company’s U.S. operations, Revell-Germany is unaffected.”).

For decades (since 1970s) Revell Germany has reissued British Frog kits

For decades (since 1970s) Revell Germany has reissued British Frog kits

Revell USA production was halted in April, even shipments of already packaged kits were stopped. A group of investors called Quantum Capital Partners aus München (for some odd reason many U.S. and British sources are calling the group Blitz GmbH, my source is Revell Germany itself) which bought both Revell Germany and Revell USA.

The month before Revell was sold-off, Revell USA announced the much longed for reissue of the coveted Deal’s Wheels Baja Humbug

According to bankruptcy court documents, on 13APR2018 Quantum Capital Partners of Munich won the rights to Revell with a bid of about $3.9-million USD.  Revell USA ceased to exist, Revell Germany will continue as if nothing had happened.  I should point out that the $3.9-million was the high bid, apparently there was only one other bidder, it’s just more proof the model kit industry is in decline.  Hobbico was hoping for $10-million.

According to a press release by Revell Germany, Deutschland is the new home base for all Revell operations, including ops in North America: “Revell is pleased to partner with Quantum Capital Partners who supports the company in its further international growth.  At this point, I would also like to thank all trading and business partners for the Thank you for your confidence during the transition period in recent weeks.”-Stefan Krings, president of Revell Germany

“Revell is a renowned and well-established company and has been an impressive and internationally established successful toy brand. We will build on this strength and the brand with its unique positioning as a model maker….”-Steffen Görig, Quantum Capital Partners

Since its founding in 2008, Quantum Capital Partners (QCP) has taken over several dozens of companies including BASF, Bosch, Deutsche Bahn and even Airbus (even joining with the Islamic Investment Bank to make sure Airbus aircraft are Shariah compliant)!

Classic Hasegawa Voodoo, one of the first jet kits I built in the 1970s

Classic Hasegawa Voodoo, one of the first jet kits I built in the 1970s

By the way, Hobbico’s demise also affected Japan’s Hasegawa and Italy’s Italeri as Hobbico had become the distributor of those brands in the United States.

Italeri's old M47 (from late 1970s) is so good that recently Korea's Academy issued it

Italeri’s old M47 (first released around late 1970s early 80s) is so good that recently Korea’s Academy issued it

FALLING DOWN: U.S. MODEL KIT/RAILROAD HOBBY DEMISE, 2016-17

BLACKLIGHT REVELL DEAL’S WHEELS

Business/Economics, Idaho

“accelerated the closing of unprofitable stores”: Sears Kmart death spiral, May 2018

“The stores are slowly closing and where am I going to go shopping. I don’t want to shop online.“-Loretta Olsen, pissed off loyal Kmart shopper in Minnesota

“We have been strategically and aggressively evaluating our store space and productivity, and have accelerated the closing of unprofitable stores.”-Howard Riefs, Sears Holdings

After losing $424-million USD in its first quarter of 2018, Sears Holdings announced 72 additional shutdowns by Summer, but that’s not all as those shutdowns are part of a new list which “identified approximately 100 non-profitable stores”, so potentially a total of 1-hundred additional stores will shutdown “as needed and as warranted.”

Just to remind you, in the 12 months leading up to February 2018, 303 Kmart and 123 Sears stores were shutdown and 50-thousand jobs killed!  Five years ago there were about 2-thousand Sears and Kmart stores, now there are less than 9-hundred.

USAToday: Sears gets $425M boost from Citi credit card deal 

CNBC: 125 years later, Sears looks a lot different

TheStreet: All the Warning Signs of a Company Nearing the End

CNNMoney: Sears moves to sell Kenmore

Hardware Retailing: Former Sears Brand Now Available at Lowe’s

KFSN: So much for California’s anti-gun laws as Kmart employee stabbed at Visalia store dies from his injuries

Visalia Times-Delta: Typical for leftist liberal California as Accused Kmart killer paroled 8 times before stabbing security guard

Arizona: Phoenix Sears on North  Metro Parkway West.

California: City of Industry Puente Hills Mall Sears, 51 jobs gone by September.  Ridgecrest Kmart. In Mid City West (‘subregion’ of Los Angeles), the Jewish controlled owner of the Town & Country Shopping Center, ARBA Group, revealed plans to tear down an active Kmart, along with other retail operations like a grocery store, pharmacy and a bank.  ARBA Group also revealed that the active Kmart long term lease expired last year and that Sears Holdings has no plans to sign a new long term lease, so they want to go through with a massive gentrification project which will result in a 380 family apartment complex mixed with a new shopping center inside a 26 story tower! A detailed local news report stated that Mid City West leaders, as well as residents, were “stunned” at the scale of the redevelopment. However, ARBA Group originally planned for a tower that could hold 8-hundred families: “It’s a mash up of a downtown high rise building with a Woodland Hills-style shopping mall plunked into the middle of a dense, urban neighborhood.”-John Nahas, Recency Centers (one of the development ‘partners’ for the project)

Los Angeles Times revealed that Sears Holdings created Seritage Growth Properties is spending $60-million USD to redevelop the recently shuttered Santa Monica Sears into more brick-n-mortar spaces.  Seritage is also spending $97-million redeveloping a San Diego Sears location into more spaces for brick-n-mortar stores.   Sacramento Business Journal revealed the Roseville Sears is going to be redeveloped with $20-million to make more brick-n-mortar spaces.   As Blind Bat News said back in 2012, the brick-n-mortar shutdowns are not because of internet competition, its “ALL PART OF Real Estate Investment Trust PLAN TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU SHOP, AND THEY BLAME YOU THE SHOPPER!”

Colorado: Arvada Kmart.

Delaware: Local news media reporting the Dover Sears store is shutting down by mid-August, the Sears Auto Center will remain open.  After the Dover Sears store shuts down there will be only one Sears store in The First State.

Florida: Sanford Sears and Tampa Citrus Park Town Center Sears.  Tampa Kmart on East Busch Boulevard. Sears Town Mall store in Titusville shutting down in June 2018, a WARN indicating how many people will lose their jobs has yet to be made public.  The new owner of the University Mall Sears (RD Management) confirmed it will be shutdown.

Georgia: Three Sears operations in Atlanta, Morrow and Duluth.  In Alpharetta, the North Point Mall Sears shutting down.

Hawaii: Lihue Kmart.  After 24 years the Kailua-Kona Kmart shutting down in August, 2018.  No more Kmarts left in Hawaii.

Idaho:  State taxpayers forced to pay to turn a vacant Sears building into a charter K through 12 school in City of Chubbuck/Bannock County (school district 25)! Gem Prep Pocatello announced it plans on moving into the Chubbuck Sears building by 2019, a public hearing is scheduled in June at Chubbuck City Hall.   The state Department of Education says “Charter schools do not charge tuition. They receive state funding similar to school districts, however they do not receive additional funds from public levies or bonds.”  Nampa BigKmart shutting down in August.

Illinois: Four Sears ops in Aurora, Gurnee, Springfield and Vernon Hills.  Rockford Kmart. The Quincy Sears Auto Center shutting down immediately, and then after 90 years (90 years in Quincy, 40 years at the Quincy Mall) the Quincy Sears store shutting down, at least 23 remaining jobs gone by mid-August 2018.  The owner of the Quincy Mall, Cullinan Property, called bullshit on Sears Holdings’ reason for the store shutdown saying “the Quincy Mall Sears has been a well-performing store”.

Indiana: Three Sears ops in Indianapolis, Muncie and Lafayette (Tippecanoe Mall Sears), by September.  The Mishawaka Sears at University Park Mall going on the auction block on 22May2018. Taxpayers of Saint John being raped of more than $5-million USD for a commercial redevelopment project that will include a vacant Kmart, some residents are pissed saying “Why don’t we just build the buildings for them?”   A property developer has signed a lease with the owner of the vacant Bloomington Kmart property.  The developer wants to build a massive hotel complex and admittedly wants to ‘get the community involved’ in the deal (taxpayer funding?). City officials have not been officially informed of the project. 

Iowa: Davenport Sears (42 jobs gone by September). Des Moines Kmart (60 jobs gone by September) on Hubbell Avenue. Taxpayers being forced to turn a vacant Dubuque Kmart into a new Veterans Affairs clinic. 

Kansas: Topeka Sears.

Kentucky: Elizabethtown Sears shutting down, no official date was mentioned in the email received by a local newspaper, but the closing sale is to start at the end of the month and run for up to 10 weeks.

Louisiana: Alexandria Mall Sears.  Local news reports say the manager of the Lake Charles Kmart revealed it is shutting down.

Massachusetts: Peabody (68 jobs gone by September) and Springfield Sears. 

Michigan: Four Sears ops in Dearborn (66 jobs lost), Flint, Sterling Heights (68 jobs lost) and Traverse City.

Minnesota: Duluth Kmart on North Central Avenue, 40 jobs gone by September. Brooklyn Center (50 jobs gone) and Duluth Miller Hill Mall (45 jobs gone) Sears. 

Mississippi: Hattiesburg Sears.

Missouri: Chesterfield and Saint Louis South County Center Way Sears.

Montana: Billings Sears.

New Jersey: Three Sears ops in Burlington, Lawrenceville and Ocean. Passaic/Clifton Kmart (103 jobs gone by September).  Elmwood Park Kmart shutting down by the end of July, 2018. After 39 years the Somerset Kmart shutting down by the end of July 2018.  Jersey City Kmart shutting down sometime during Summer.

New Mexico:  Albuquerque Kmart on Carlisle Avenue and Sears on Coors Bypass North West.

New York:  De Witt/Syracuse Sears (45 jobs gone by September).  West Babylon Kmart (85 jobs gone by September) and Rosedale Kmart (99 jobs gone by September). 46 years old Wheatfield/Niagara Falls Sears shutting down, at least 42 jobs gone by mid-August 2018.

North Carolina: The owners of the Waynesville Sears Hometown Store announced it will shutdown by July (not part of Sears Holdings official shutdown list).

North Dakota: Grand Forks Sears.

Ohio: Lima and Strongsville Sears.

Oregon: Portland Kmart on North East Sandy Boulevard. 

Pennsylvania: Latrobe Kmart. Pittsburgh/South Hills Sears and Pittsburgh Sears on Robinson Center Drive.

South Carolina: Anderson and Spartanburg Sears. Sears store and Auto Center shutting down in the Citadel Mall in West Ashley (Charleston), between June and August 2018.  The investor-owners of Citadel Mall just bought the Sears space for $7.55-million USD: “We feel like the Sears parcel is the last piece of the puzzle we need to implement our master plan.”-Richard Davis, one of the investor-owners

South Dakota: Sioux Falls Empire Mall Sears. 

Tennessee: Knoxville Sears on Knoxville Center Drive.

Texas: Four Sears ops in Cedar Park, Denton, Lewisville and Fort Worth on Green Oaks Road.  Laredo Kmart. In Tyler rumors that the Broadway Square Mall Sears is going away, this after it was revealed the Sears store is going to be torn down.  The owner of the mall, Simon Property Group, submitted plans for demolition, replacing the Sears building with smaller retail spaces and no sign of the Sears remaining. The Planning Manager for Tyler would only say “…we support re-development on that site, it’s good that they’re actually doing some re-development for the site and for the city.”  In San Antonio, the Park North Shopping Center Sears.  Simon Property Group, owner of Broadway Square Mall in Tyler, announced it wants to tear down the active Sears store and Auto Center and create at least two separate retail spaces.  Local news reports claim the city council has the final say.   Simon Property Group indicated they already have a “new tenant” lined up, Sears Holdings refused to comment.

Vermont: After 39 years the Bennington Kmart shutting down in August 2018.

Virginia: Sears store and Auto Center shutting down at the Danville Mall, between June and August 2018.

Washington: Tacoma Sears on South Steele Street.  Los Angeles Times revealed that Sears Holdings created Seritage Growth Properties is spending millions of dollars redeveloping the Redmond Sears into more spaces for brick-n-mortar stores.

Wyoming: The Laramie Kmart shutting down in August 2018.  A convoluted commercial transaction that will result in no new job creation and increased vacant properties going down in a place called Sheridan.  Natural gas products company EMIT Technologies quietly purchased the vacant Kmart, officially to consolidate all its manufacturing operations into one building.  They imply they’re willing to spend their own money improving the property, even working with city public works and parks departments to ‘make it right’.  The city still has to approve rezoning plans, but a lot of money will be spent with no new jobs being created and leaving several commercial/manufacturing locations vacated and up-for-sale.  

Home Textiles Today: Sears, Kmart now leasing mattresses online

Investorplace.com: The End Game for Sears Holding Corp Has Begun

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, APRIL 2018: “TOO BIG FOR OUR NEEDS.” SELLING OUT ONLINE!